Principality Building Society has raised over £300,000 for three Welsh charities - with an extra £30,000 donated thanks to the Welsh rugby team making home advantage count in the 2018 Six Nations.

Every victory by the national team saw Principality donate an extra £10,000 to its three nominated charities, which are Llamau, a leading homelessness charity in Wales; Cancer Research Wales; and School of Hard Knocks, which uses sport to help disadvantaged Welsh communities.

The victories at Principality Stadium and Principality colleagues’ fundraising efforts mean each charity has now received £100,000 in the past two years of its partnership with the society.

Principality colleagues took on a range of challenges to raise money for the three charities, including a night walk to the Snowdon summit and sleeping rough for a night in Cardiff.

Helping vulnerable people

Julie-Ann Haines, chief customer officer at Principality, said: “I'm immensely proud of the way we continue to support charities, and it has been totally inspiring to see colleagues go the extra mile in taking part in events and making very kind donations. We raised a lot of money in two years and I know this money means a huge amount to our charity partners and will make a significant contribution to their activities on the ground all across Wales, and to the vulnerable people they help.

“We know how much our members love their rugby and the national team, so it was great to see Wales make home advantage count with victories in the Six Nations, meaning further donations to our charities from the Society.”

The significant donation from Principality will help School of Hard Knocks deliver its sports programmes across Wales to adults and in schools. It will allow Llamau to fund shelter for homeless women and young people, while Cancer Research Wales can continue to support PhD students researching ways to increase early diagnosis of cancer.

Changing lives for the better

Sam Austin, deputy chief executive of Llamau, said: “Llamau’s partnership with Principality has undoubtedly changed the lives of homeless young people and women in Wales. Not only have they raised a huge amount of money to help us prevent homelessness and to support people to move on with their lives, they’ve also given the people we support experiences which are often out of reach for them. Whether through tickets to see Beyoncé or tours of Principality Stadium, Principality Building Society has given some of Wales’ most vulnerable people experiences they’ll never forget.”

Wales forward Cory Hill said: “It’s great to know that every game we have won has meant Principality donated £10,000 to these very deserving charities. After meeting and speaking to the charities I know just how much it means to them and allows them to help the people across Wales.”